India, Sept. 4 -- Six points down against the defending champion, R Praggnanandhaa had every reason to write off his chances on the final day of the Grand Chess Tour 2026 in Saint Louis, USA, last week. Instead, the Chennai-born chess star turned the deficit around to lift the trophy, becoming the first Indian to win the championship since its inception in 2015. "My chances weren't high but I wanted to give it a fight, and so I turned up with confidence," he shares. Pragg, 21, won the Under-8 World Youth Chess Championship at the age of eight and became the youngest International Master (IM) in chess history at just 10. Though success came early for him, what keeps him driven today? "For me it's self-expectation and not outside pressure. I expect myself to be in contention every time I play. So if I lost it would be disappointing but I'd be happy with the fight I gave," he says, adding, "Anyone can have a bad day; you take the lessons and move on. I don't think one result decides how I see myself." Given his achievements since childhood, Pragg has often been called a prodigy. However, he does not seem too interested in the label. "I wouldn't say I am a prodigy or call anyone in my generation as a prodigy. We're past that, we compete at the absolute top with the best to be the best," he says....